Computer to stereo optimization questions!

axb006 · 10-24-2009, 01:55 PM

Seeking computer and audio experts out there to guide a dummy through a fun project!

I have two HP P6130Y desktops for which I bought and installed the EVGA/nVidia GT-220 video card. For audio, I got standard fare RCA Y cables.

I have the computers hooked up to it's own Yamaha receiver. One receiver (RX-V1065) has HDMI, the other (RX-V800) doesn't.

I started to think that it would be nice if I could carry the video and sound through the HDMI only, but should I care?

My goal is optimum sound potential. I have been told about getting an ATI video and sound card (both in one).. Others say keep that stuff seperate. Some say the RCA cables are crap due to analog. Others say the difference would be negligible even with my HiFi receivers and speakers.

What say you all?

Seperate sound card? If so, what?

HDMI v. RCA; do I even need a sound card? Should I give a crap?

My objective is highest quality sound playing MP3's via Windows Media Player 11 or Winamp.

I will also use this gear to watch DVD's and play CD's.

THANKS SO MUCH in advance for the attention!

Dogg · 10-24-2009, 03:24 PM

Fro mp3 playback, use whatever you have handy. You aren't likely to hear any difference during mp3 playback.

axb006 · 10-26-2009, 09:18 PM

OK, but what can I do for optimum performance? It appears your saying mp3's wont make a difference. But what is the optimum arrangement? What if it's WAV files or CD's. Will a quality sound card make a difference? Will HDMI make a difference? What is the best set up using a computer through my hifi stereo?

axb006 · 10-28-2009, 10:14 PM

Anyone?

Dogg · 10-29-2009, 03:20 PM

I'm saying if you source is mp3 files, it won't matter if you have a $10 sound card, or a $100 sound card. mp3 files are not high quality. There's no reason to buy expensive hardware and cables. There will be no noticeable difference between any average sound card using decent cables and a high end sound card using high quality cables. Simply invest in a decent cable or cables that will output from your current sound card (likely a 3.5 mini stereo plug) into your receiver (RCA inputs). It would be better to get a single cable (3.5 stereo to RCA stereo) than to use a mix match of cables can connectors/converters.

axb006 · 10-30-2009, 09:55 PM

I get what your saying. BUT, I'm asking what the optimum arrangement is. I'm not limited to mp3. What's the best I can do with my comuter to stereo? For example, if I convert to wav and get an HDMI cable and some kind of high end sound card with HDMI, will that be vastly better? What are my BEST options regardless of file type?

Dogg · 10-31-2009, 09:45 AM

HDMI is video/audio used designed for video use.

Simply choose the best output option from what you already have available. If you insist on spending money, use digital coaxial or optical. But again, you aren't likely to notice any difference whether your spend $20 or $200.

axb006 · 11-03-2009, 08:45 PM

Is the green 1/4 inch jack a digital output or analog? Do I need a digital sound card? My intergrated sound card does not have optical.

Dogg · 11-06-2009, 03:12 PM

It's 1/8. 1/4 are used for like guitar cables or the old style audio headphones. And they are analog.

axb006 · 11-24-2009, 09:34 PM

OK; let me boil it down to this:

If I get a CL soundblaster X-fi Titanium card and run optical from my card to the Yamaha receiver, will my CD's sound noticably better? I get the point on compressed files. Can I convert back to wav and save/play as such without having to burn discs? Will the aforementioned sound card make a difference with WAV on my hard drive?

Secondly, has this card worked with Win7 home premium?

Dogg · 11-27-2009, 12:29 PM

Analog or optical, you likely won't notice much if any difference when playing CD's.

Converting "back" to wav won't make any difference, the quality was already lost when it was converted the first time. Any format that you decide to save on the computer can be played back without burning to CD. The only reason to burn onto CD would be for playback in another location.

It should work, but there are several posts about audio issues after upgrading to Win7.

10-24-2009, 01:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 141 OS: xp	Computer to stereo optimization questions! Seeking computer and audio experts out there to guide a dummy through a fun project! I have two HP P6130Y desktops for which I bought and installed the EVGA/nVidia GT-220 video card. For audio, I got standard fare RCA Y cables. I have the computers hooked up to it's own Yamaha receiver. One receiver (RX-V1065) has HDMI, the other (RX-V800) doesn't. I started to think that it would be nice if I could carry the video and sound through the HDMI only, but should I care? My goal is optimum sound potential. I have been told about getting an ATI video and sound card (both in one).. Others say keep that stuff seperate. Some say the RCA cables are crap due to analog. Others say the difference would be negligible even with my HiFi receivers and speakers. What say you all? Seperate sound card? If so, what? HDMI v. RCA; do I even need a sound card? Should I give a crap? My objective is highest quality sound playing MP3's via Windows Media Player 11 or Winamp. I will also use this gear to watch DVD's and play CD's. THANKS SO MUCH in advance for the attention! Last edited by axb006; 10-24-2009 at 01:58 PM.

10-24-2009, 03:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,146 OS: XP sp3	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! Fro mp3 playback, use whatever you have handy. You aren't likely to hear any difference during mp3 playback. __________________ Google is your friend !

10-26-2009, 09:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 141 OS: xp	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! OK, but what can I do for optimum performance? It appears your saying mp3's wont make a difference. But what is the optimum arrangement? What if it's WAV files or CD's. Will a quality sound card make a difference? Will HDMI make a difference? What is the best set up using a computer through my hifi stereo?

10-28-2009, 10:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 141 OS: xp	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! Anyone?

10-29-2009, 03:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,146 OS: XP sp3	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! I'm saying if you source is mp3 files, it won't matter if you have a $10 sound card, or a $100 sound card. mp3 files are not high quality. There's no reason to buy expensive hardware and cables. There will be no noticeable difference between any average sound card using decent cables and a high end sound card using high quality cables. Simply invest in a decent cable or cables that will output from your current sound card (likely a 3.5 mini stereo plug) into your receiver (RCA inputs). It would be better to get a single cable (3.5 stereo to RCA stereo) than to use a mix match of cables can connectors/converters. __________________ Google is your friend !

10-30-2009, 09:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 141 OS: xp	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! I get what your saying. BUT, I'm asking what the optimum arrangement is. I'm not limited to mp3. What's the best I can do with my comuter to stereo? For example, if I convert to wav and get an HDMI cable and some kind of high end sound card with HDMI, will that be vastly better? What are my BEST options regardless of file type?

10-31-2009, 09:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,146 OS: XP sp3	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! HDMI is video/audio used designed for video use. Simply choose the best output option from what you already have available. If you insist on spending money, use digital coaxial or optical. But again, you aren't likely to notice any difference whether your spend $20 or $200. __________________ Google is your friend !

11-03-2009, 08:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 141 OS: xp	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! Is the green 1/4 inch jack a digital output or analog? Do I need a digital sound card? My intergrated sound card does not have optical.

11-06-2009, 03:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,146 OS: XP sp3	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! It's 1/8. 1/4 are used for like guitar cables or the old style audio headphones. And they are analog. __________________ Google is your friend !

11-24-2009, 09:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
axb006 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 141 OS: xp	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! OK; let me boil it down to this: If I get a CL soundblaster X-fi Titanium card and run optical from my card to the Yamaha receiver, will my CD's sound noticably better? I get the point on compressed files. Can I convert back to wav and save/play as such without having to burn discs? Will the aforementioned sound card make a difference with WAV on my hard drive? Secondly, has this card worked with Win7 home premium? Last edited by axb006; 11-24-2009 at 09:39 PM.

11-27-2009, 12:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dogg Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 2,146 OS: XP sp3	Re: Computer to stereo optimization questions! Analog or optical, you likely won't notice much if any difference when playing CD's. Converting "back" to wav won't make any difference, the quality was already lost when it was converted the first time. Any format that you decide to save on the computer can be played back without burning to CD. The only reason to burn onto CD would be for playback in another location. It should work, but there are several posts about audio issues after upgrading to Win7. __________________ Google is your friend !